Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-16
CHAPTER Y.

In the meantime Mrs. FerraI1 held to her
resolution She went straight from Mr.
Troy's Office to Newbury's hotel
Lady Montbarry was at home, and alone.
But the authorities OF the hotel besitated to
disturb her when they found that the visitor
declined 70 mention her name Her lady
ships new maid happened to cross the hall
while the matter was still in debate She was
Frenchwoman, and on being appealed to
settled the question in the swift, easy, ration
ul French way "Madame's appearance wa,
perfectly respectable Madame might have
reasons for not mentioning her name which
miladi might approve In any case there be
Ing no orders forbidding the introduction oi
q strange lady, the matter clearly rested be-
tween madame and miladi Would madame,
therefore, be good enough to follow miladis
maid UPSTAIRS
In spite of her resolution, Mrs. Ferraris
heart beat as if it would burst out of her
bosom, when her cOnductress led her into an
anteroom, and Knocked at door opening in
to a room beyond. But it is remarkable that
persons of sensitively nervous organization
are the very persons who are capable of fore,
ing themselves apparently by the exercise of
ance Of acts of the most audacious courage.
A low, grave voice from the inner room said,
"Come in" The maid, opening the door, an
nounced, "A person tn see you, miladi, on
business" and Immediately retired. In the
one instant, while these events passed, timid
little Mrs. Ferrari mastered her own throb-
bling heart; stepped over the threshold, con-
scious OF her clammy hands, dry lips, and
burning head; and stood in the presence of
Lord Montbarry's widow, to all outward ap-
pearance as supremacy self possessed as her
ladyship herself
1t was still early in the afternoon, but the
light in the room was dim. The blinds were
drawn down Lady Montbarry sat with her
Dack TO the windows, as if even the subdued
daylight were disagreeable to her. She had
altered sadly for the worse in her personal
appearance, since the memorable day when
DIR. WybrOw had seen her in his consulting
room Her beauty was gone-her face had
fallen away to mere skin and bone; the con-
trast between her CHASTITY complexion and
her steely glttering black ewes was more
startling than ever ROBBED in dismal black.
renewed oni) by the brilliant whiteness OF her
WIDOWS caP-reclining in q panther like
sePPiShco' VI attituie on q little green sofia
she looked at the stranger who had intruded
on her, with moments langnid curiosity,
'hen dropped her eyes again to the hand
screen which she held between her face and
the fire. al don't know you," she said. "What
do you want with mer'
Mrs. Ferrari tried to answer. Her first
burst OF courage had already worn itself ont
The bold words she had determined to speak
were living words still in her mind. but thew
died on her lips.
There was moment Of silence LADY
Montbarry looked round again at the speech
less stranger Are you deafY' she asked
There was another pause Lady Montbarrv
quietly looked back again at the screen and
put another question. "Do you want money ~
Money! That one word reused the sink.
ing spirit Of the courier's wife. She recovered
her courage; she found her voice. @Look MT
me, my lady, if you please" she said, with a
sudden outbreak Of audacity.
Lady Montbarry looked round for the third
time. The fatal words passed Mrs. Ferrari's
lips.
II come, my lady, to acknowledge the re-
celpt OF the money sent to Ferrari's widow. "
Lady Montbarry's glittering black ewes
rested with steady attention on the woman
who had addressed her in those terms No,
the faintest expression of confusion or alarm
not even momsntary iutter of interesi